PART II.

The History of the Bible Society.

CHAPTER I.

EFFORTS ANTICIPATING THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

Tyndal's Association-Propagation of the Gospel in New EnglandMissionary and Bible-Propagation of the Gospel in WalesPromoting Christian Knowledge-Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts-Missionaries to India-Highlands of Scotland-Book Society-Naval and Military Bible-WesleyanBaptist- London-Scottish Missionary Societies — Religious Tract The Church-Sunday School Union - British and Foreign School-Hibernian Society.

EXPERIENCE has largely proved the necessity of combination, in accomplishing great works for the multitude. On this principle, various efforts have been made, with powerful effect, in obtaining many of the translations of the Scriptures. Their circulation, also, was effected by the same means, long before the formation of the Bible Society. Repeated references to some of these, and a brief review of them, therefore, will enable us, with greater admiration, to behold, in that institution, the wisdom and goodness of God.

I. TYNDAL'S ASSOCIATION.-That great man was aided, by a kind of Bible Society, in accomplishing his work of translation and circulation of the Scriptures. Copies of his New Testament were soon brought to England, after it was printed in 1525, when Cardinal Wolsey, Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas More, and Tonstall, bishop of London, with other prelates, made every possible effort to destroy the work. Sir T. More wrote a "Confutation" of the alleged errors in the translation, in which he indicates the combination in this work. "Which books," "neither can these be printed without great cost, nor here sold without great adventure and peril; yet cease they not with money sent from hence, to print them these and send them hither by the whole vats full at once; and in some places looking for no lucre, cast them abroad at night." Information was laid against "R. Webbe, of Bristol," as one of this Bible fraternity," that some of these pestilent books were thrown in the street, and left at men's doors by night, that where they durst not offer their poison to sell, they would of their charity poison men for nought."

he says,

Mr. Offor gives a "List of Books either ascribed to Tyndal, or published with his name," indicating the necessity of some combination to get such numbers into circulation. The first two items in his list are:

"The Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments and the Apocrypha. Published in folio 1537, 1538, 1549, 1549, 1551, 1551; and, in octavo, 4 vols., 1549 and 1551.

"The New Testament, 1525, revised in 1534. Not less than eighty editions were printed!"

Various combinations were formed to promote the circulation of the Bible as revised by Coverdale, and first printed in 1535; and the Geneva Bible, printed in 1559 and in 1560.

II. SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN NEW ENGLAND.-This was occasioned by the labours and successes of John Eliot, worthily denominated "THE APOSTLE OF THE INDIANS." He was educated at Cambridge; but, being a Nonconformist, he emigrated to America in 1631. He engaged in his ministry among the Indians in 1644, learned their language, and translated for their use the whole Bible. His successes were extraordinary; the report of which being made in England, Dr. Calamy, Mr. Marshal and Mr. Whitaker, submitted an account of them, in 1647, to the Long Parliament. It was referred to the " Committee for Foreign Plantations," to prepare a "Bill for the Promotion of Learning in New England." Commissioners were appointed, and collections were made throughout the parishes of England. From this Society Mr. Eliot received assistance; and its president, the Hon. Robert Boyle, encouraged the apostolic man by his correspondence, besides contributing, on account of the difficulties of the times, about three hundred pounds a-year towards the circulation of the Word of God among the Indians.

Beside preaching, translating the Scriptures was one great part of the work of Eliot; for which he

was highly qualified. "Possessing a sound and enlightened judgment," as Dr. Mather remarks, "great patience of investigation, a correct philosophical taste, and an extensive critical knowledge of the Hebrew, Greek and Indian languages; entertaining a most sacred regard to Divine Truth, and exercising an humble dependence on the Divine blessing. Having employed all the time he could command for several years in making this translation, he had the happiness, in September, 1661, of seeing an edition of the New Testament, with marginal references, completed at press. It consisted of fifteen hundred copies. In about two years afterwards, the Old Testament was finished; so that, before the end of 1663, the whole Scriptures were printed in the Indian language." "Behold! ye Americans!" exclaims Dr. Mather, in the height of his pious rapture, on account of the completion of this noble work, "Behold the greatest honour that ever you were partakers of! The Bible was printed here, at our Cambridge; and it is the only Bible that ever was printed in all America, from the very foundation of the world."

III. MISSIONARY AND BIBLE SOCIETY.-In 1656, the Lord Protector Cromwell projected a grand Missionary and Bible Institution, which was to be placed under the government of seven commissioners and four secretaries: the first for France, Switzerland and Piedmont; the second for the Palatinate and the Calvinists of other provinces; the third for Germany, the North of Europe, and Turkey; and

the fourth for the East and West Indies. This Society was to be provided with £10,000 per annum, and Chelsea College was designed for their Mission and Bible offices. "Certainly," as Bishop Burnet remarks, "this was a magnificent project, and must have been attended with extraordinary effects under a power which was formidable and terrible to all nations, to whom it was known." This grand scheme, however, was not matured, by reason of the death of Cromwell, in 1658; though some assistance was rendered to the Bible cause in North America.

After the restoration of Charles II., seeing the Charter of 1649 become void, and the means of evangelizing the American Indians greatly lessened, the Rev. Richard Baxter, Mr. Henry Ashworth and the Hon. Robert Boyle employed their influence with Chancellor Hyde, and obtained a new Charter of Incorporation, and the estate belonging to it, by which Bibles and schools were still furnished to the Indians. Mr. Boyle also procured a translation of the New Testament into the Malayan tongue, chiefly at his expense, and an edition of it circulated in the East Indies. By his influence, the East India Company were induced to countenance these labours for the heathen. He also procured a translation of the New Testament into the Turkish Language; he contributed largely towards an edition of the Bible in Welsh; and gave the sum of £700 towards an edition of the Bible in Irish. He died December 21, 1691; and Bishop Burnett states that this pious philosopher devoted more than a thousand